Multiple unit insertion machine for blasting initiator wires



D. D. HUYETT Jul 2, 1957 MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTICN MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR DANIEL D. HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS D. D. HUYETT July 2, 1957 MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR W IRES 1s sheets-sheet 2 Filed lay 9. 1952 SQ m5 INVENTOR DANIEL D- HUYETT BY HlS ATTORNEYS War W D. D. HUYETT Jul? 2; 1957" MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 L J L mvgmoa DANIEL D. HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS WW July 2, 1957 D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTICN MACHINE FOR BLA STING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 LL I I 2'04 0 755 L rim]- i I INVENTOR L. 45 DANIEL D. HUYETT Q7 BY HIS ATTORNEYS y 1957 D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES I Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR DANIEL D, HUYE'I'T BY HIS ATTORNEYS D. D. HUYETT July' 2,1957

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTICN MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 BY HIS ATTORNEYS D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

16 Sheets-Sheet 7 MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES July 2, 1957 Filed May 9, 1 952 illi m xv w M wv wwfi W W D. D. HUYETT July 2, 1957 ON MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTI Filed May 9, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 T. 0 7 4 My 2. M 0 W w 5 M M 7 7 6 0 Wl- .M 9 6 i H O 0 0 of: 0 4 L W m M. 0 W Z 7 4 M an 11' BY HIS ATTORNEYS WW INVENTOR DANIEL D- HUYE D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE mm" INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Jqly 2, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 9, 1952 INVENTOR DANIEL D.-HUYETT BY HIS AT TOR N E YS .iilliAw July 2, 1957 D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 16 Shee'ts-Sheet l0 INVENTOR DANIEL 0. HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS hfiwdon/fi MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9. l952 D. D. HU T 16 Sheet ll N OR DANIEL HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLA STI NG INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9. 1952 D. D. HUYETT July 2, 1957 16 Sheets-Sheet l2 INVENTOR DANIEL D. HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS hbzmiarfld W July 21, 195? D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9. 1952 l6 Sheets-Sheet 13 July 2, 1957 D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608 I MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTICN MACHINE FOR BLAS'I ING INITIATOR WIRES Filed May 9, 1952 V 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 I mm I 6 INVENTOR DANIEL D. HUYE'I'T BY HIS ATTORNEYS Ma /7 W y 2, 1957 D. D. HUYETT 2,797,608

MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES File d Maya, 1952 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 INVENTOR DANIEL D. HUYETT BY HIS ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE UNIT INSERTION MACHINE FOR BLASTING INITIATOR WIRES Daniel D. Huyett, Wilmington, DeL, assignor to Atlas Powder Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application May 9, 1952, Serial No. 286,958

23 Claims. (Cl. 86-1) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire insertion apparatus and more particularly to new and useful improvements in apparatus adapted to insert a plurality of pairs of wires into a like number of resilient rubber plugs or the like.

The present invention is particularly adapted to insert a plurality of pairs of wires into a like number of resilient rubber plugs or the like, for example, preformed plug closures which, in turn, are inserted into loaded detonator shells as shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 249,298, filed October 2, 1951. In the manufacture of blasting initiators, a pair of wires is inserted through a preformed plug closure which then has an ignition device or match secured thereto and is inserted into the open end of a loaded detonator shell. Prior to the present invention, a single pair of wires has usually been inserted into a preformed plug closure individually. This increases considerably the amount of time and labor needed for the manufacture of blasting initiators or the like and makes it impossible to use modern production line methods in the manufacture of such articles.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus which is operable to insert simultaneously a plurality of pairs of wires into a plurality of rubber plugs such as preformed plug closures for electric blasting initiators and which may be constituted as a single station in a production line for the manufacture of electric blasting caps or initiators and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus of the stated character which greatly improves upon prior wire insertion methods and apparatus.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the wire insertion machine made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wire insertion machine;

Fig. 2a is a plan view of the drive mechanism for the wire insertion machine;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the drive mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2a;

Fig. 4 is a front end elevational view of the wire insertion machine;

Fig. 4a is a fragmentary elevational view partially in section illustrating the feed mechanism for the plug carriers;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged end elevational view of the plug carrier feed table illustrated in Fig. 4a;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6, Fig. 1; r

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 7-7, Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken atent ice on line 8-8, Fig. 2, illustrating the feed mechanism for the plugs and wires;

Fig. 8a is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 8a-8a, Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the wire feed mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8 with the locking plate in its forward position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 8, illustrating the feed table in its forward position;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 11-11, Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 12-12, Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 13-13, Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 14-14, Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 15 1s, Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary rear end elevational view, partially in section, illustrating the actuating mechanism for the split funnel plates;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially in section illustrating the split funnel plate in its closed position;

Fig. 17a is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view similar to Fig. 17 illustrating the split funnel plate in its opened position;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially in section illustrating the support mechanism for the expander tubes;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view partially in section illustrating the support mechanism for the needles;

Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, are face views of the cams which control the various phases of operation of the wire insertion machine;

Fig. 25 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the means to properly position the wire tray on the feed table of the wire insertion machine;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 26-26, Fig. 2a;

Fig. 27 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the plug carrier feed table taken on line 27-27, Fig. 411;

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 28-28, Fig. 6;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a resilient plug having a pair of wires inserted therethrough according to the present invention;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a plug holder which supports the resilient plugs prior to and during the wire insertion operation;

Fig. 31 is a side elevational view of the wire tray or jig used to support the wires during the insertion operation;

Fig. 32 is a plan view of the wire tray or jig illustrated in Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the wire jig.

Figs. 34 to 42, inclusive, are enlarged fragmentary sectional views through the magazine of the wire insertion machine illustrating the various phases of operation thereof;

Fig. 43 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 43-43, Fig. 41 illustrating the distortion of the plug with the needles and tubes inserted therethrough;

Fig. 44 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44-44, Fig. 41;

Fig. 45 is a perspective view of a plug with needles and tubes inserted therethrough illustrating the distortion which takes place in the plug support; and,

Fig. 46 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrio and pneumatic operating controls for the wire insertion machine.

The present invention consists essentially of providing a machine operable to simultaneously insert a plurality of pairs of electric Wires into a corresponding plurality of preformed resilient plugs. Two operators are required to operate this machine. The first operator positions a tray or jig which carries the wire on a feed table and initiates actuation of the machine while the second operator inserts a plug holder, supporting the preformed resilient plugs, in the machine. Slidably mounted'interiorly of the machine for vertical movement between predetermined limit positions is a transfer plate on" which the plug holders are placed. transfer plate is a pair'of latches which support the plug holders. During the operation of the machine, the trans fer plate is raised and then lowered, thereby transferring the plug holder from the transfer plate to the latches.-

Extending transversely of the wire insertion machine of the present invention is a split funnel plate having a plurality of openings therethrough. The wires are positioned "at one side of the split funnel platein axial alignment with the openings therein while the plugs are supported by the latches at the opposite side of the split funnel plate in alignment with the pair of wires At the beginning of operation of the machine, when the operators are inserting the wires and plugs into the machine, a set of plugs is positioned in alignment with the openings of the split funnel plate and each plug has a pair of tubes inserted therethrough. When the wires are properly positioned on the feed table of the machine and a plug holder positioned on the transfer plate, the operator may close a switch, thereby actuating the feed table in the forward direction to insert the wires through the split funnel plate and into the tubes. After-the wires are properly inserted into the tubes, the operator of the machine may then close a second switch which initiates actuation of a cam shaft carrying a plurality of'cams operable to complete the wire insertion operation.

The first step in the wire insertion operation is to with-draw the tubes from the plugs thereby transferring the plugs from the tubes to the wires. The split funnel plate is then opened and the feed table retracted to with draw the plugs from the plug holder and through the split funnel plate. The split funnel plate then closes and the transfer plate is raised and lowered to position another plug holder carrying a plurality of plugs in alignment with the openings in the split funnel plate. At the same time, the first operator of the machine may replace the tray or jig supporting the wire and plug assemblies on the feed table with a second tray or jig supporting a second plurality of wires.

A plurality of needles are positioned on the same side of the split funnel plate as the plugs co-axially with the tubes. The cam shaft operates to force the needles forward inserting them through the plugs. After' the needles have pierced the plugs, the tubes are actuated in the forward direction thereby inserting the tubes through the plugs, and the needles are then retracted. During this phase of the operation, the second operator of the machine may position a plug holder carrying a plurality of plugs onto the transfer plate. The machine is automatically stopped in this position and is prepared for a second insertion operation.

The present invention is particularly designed to be used as a single station in a production line for the manufacture of electric blasting caps or the like. To this end, a wire jig or carrier designated generally as (see Figs. 3l, 32 and 33) is provided to support wires 11 on the ends of which the electric blasting caps or initiators are placed. The wire jig is the subject of a co-pending application, Serial No. 254,178, filed October 31, 1951, now Patent 2,759,251, dated Aug. 21, 1956. The initial operation in the manufacture of blasting caps is to place the wires 11 in the wire jig 10 and the wire jig Immediately above the is then conveyed to different stations on the production line where the various component parts of the electric blasting caps or initiator are assembled. In the present instance, the Wires 11 have preformed rubber plugs (see Fig. 29) placed thereon as more fully described hereinafter. It will be understood however that the wire jig 10 is not a necessary part of the present invention, but only a convenient accessorywhich allows the present invention to be more easily. used in a production line.

With reference to Figs. 31, 32 and 33 of the drawings, the wire carrier or jig 10 comprises a tray portion 12 on which spools or bundles of wires maybe placed. The wires extend from the spool or bundles through a clamping member 13 as illustrated in Fig. 33, which securely grips the wires 11 between a pair of rubber gaskets 14 and prevents displacement of the wires with respect to the wire jig. Positioned at the forward end of the wire jig 10 is a displaceable guide 15 which is telescopically mounted in the side wall portions of the wire jig and normally urged to a forward limit position by means of spring 16 as illustrated in Fig. 32. Extending transversely of the wire tray 10 are front and rear skids 22 and 23, respectively, which allow the tray to be inserted and positioned on the wire insertion machine as more fully described hereinafter. The extreme forward limit position of the displaceable guide 15 is determined by means ofa lug 17, which extends downwardly from the rear surface of the side arms of the displaceable'guide 15 and is normally'urgerl against the rear skid 23- by means of the'above-rnentioned springs 16,16.

The present invention is particularly designed to simultaneously insert a plurality of pairs of wires into a corresponding plurality of preformed rubber plugs or the like. 'To this end, a jig supporting a plurality of wires and a plug. holder carrying the plugs are inserted into the wire insertion machine and positioned in axial alignment with each other. The plugs are then pierced and have 'tubes inserted thereth'rough' in which the wires are placed. Subsequently, the tubes are Withdrawn from the plugs leaving the plugs in their proper position on the wires. The wires and plugs are then withdrawn from the wire insertion machine and the machine is prepared for another inserting operation.

With reference to Fig. 2, the wire jig 10 supporting a plurality of wires 11 is fed 'to the plugging machine at the forward left hand side thereof as indicated at A. The wire jig 10 is carried by a conveyor (not shown) and is positioned on a feed table 42 by the operator of the machine and securely locked thereon, as more fully described hereinafter, during theinserting operation. A second conveyor (not shown) positioned at the opposite side of the feed table 42 removes the wire jig from the wire insertion machine after the insertion operation. A plurality of preformed resilient plugs 43 are carried by a plug holder 44, see Fig. 30, which is inserted into the wire insertion'machine at the central right hand side thereof as indicated at B in Fig. 2. The plugs are then pierced and the wires inserted therein as more fully described hereinafter.

A plurality of pairs of wires are carried by the jig 10 and are adapted to be projected outwardly from the forward edge thereof. Extending transverselyof the wire insertion machine and mounted for limited longitudinal movement with respect thereto is the feed table 42 which supports the wire jig 10 during the entire wire insertion operation. As shown in Fig. 8, the feed table 42 has a transverse width approximately equal to the distance between the front and rear skids 22 and 23 of the wire jig 10 and the feed conveyor (not shown) is adapted to position the wire jig 10 in-such a manner with respect to the feed table-42 so that the front and rear skids 22 and 23 of the wire jig 10 are positioned at respectively opposite sides of-the feed table 42 when the wire jig 10 is slid onto the feed table 42. A plurality of rollers 45 are disposed along each side of the feed'table42 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 8, and engage the skids 22 and 23 to permit the wire jig to be easily placed on the feed table.

When the operator of the machine slides a jig onto the feed table 42, it engages a second jig which is in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, carrying the completed wire and plug assemblies and forces the second jig olf of the feed table onto a conveyor (not shown). As the second jig is removed from the feed table, it passes over a roller 46 carried on the upper end of an arm 47 pivotally mounted to the Wire insertion machine as indicated at 48 in Figs. 1, 4 and 12. The arm 47 has a downwardly depending portion 51 thereon operable to momentarily close a switch 52 when the jig 10 passes over a roller 46.

Actuation of the switch 52 admits air under pressure to the right hand end of an air cylinder 53 as viewed in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. Admittance of air to the air cylinder 53 moves a locking plate 54 forward. The locking-plate 54 has a forwardly extending projection 55 formed integral therewith which constitutes a stop element whereby the incoming wire jig is accurately positioned laterally with respect to the feed table 42. The projection 55 advances under actuation of the air cylinder 53 to intercept the downwardly projecting lug 17 of the wire tray thereby arresting lateral movement of the tray with respect to the feed table 42. The projection 55 comes to rest against the side of the rear skid element 23 and the contained pressure of the cylinder 53 is effective to lock the wire tray securely against the table 42. A resiliently biased latch member 57 is pivotally mounted on the underside of the table 42 at the feed end thereof and is actuable to be biased outwardly into engagement with the side of the rear skid 23. Fig. clearly illustrates this positioning and locking arrangement of the locking plate 54 and latch member 57. By this construction, after a wire jig is slid onto the feed table of the wire insertion machine, the locking plate 54 and latch 57 prevent any displacement laterally of the jig on the feed table 42.

The feed table 42 is carried on a frame 60 as shown in Figs. 2, 8 and 12, which in turn is mounted for longitudinal movement to allow the feed table and wire jig to be brought forward, thereby inserting the wires into the plugs which are positioned in axial alignment with the wires as more fully described hereinafter. To this end, a pair of spaced parallel tracks 61 are provided on the wire insertion machine extending longitudinally thereof. The tracks 61 have grooves 62 on their inner surface adapted to receive tongues 63 extending outwardly from the sides of the feed table frame '60, thereby permitting relative longitudinal movement of the feed table 42 with respect to the Wire insertion machine.

The locking plate 54 is secured to a locking plate frame 64, which, in turn, is mounted for limited longitudinal movement with respect to the feed table 42 to allow the locking plate to be brought up against the rear surface of the wire jig 10. A pair of tubular slides 65 are secured to the feed table frame 60 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 8, and the cross members 64a of the locking plate frame 64 are slidably mounted on the slides 65. The air cylinder 53 is secured to the locking plate frame 64 and has the forward end of its piston rod 66 secured to the feed table frame 60 as indicated at 67, thus admittance of air to the right hand end of the air cylinder 53 will bring the locking plate forward to engage the lug 17 on the wire tray 10. Depending downwardly from the lower surface of the locking plate frame 64 is a bracket 68, as shown in Fig. 8, which carries a roller 69 thereon operable to actuate a switch 72. The switch 72 is a normally closed switch and is held open by means of the roller 69 when the locking plate 54 and the feed table 42 are in their extreme rearward position as illustrated in Fig. 8.

As shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, actuation of the feed table frame 60 and the feed table 42 is effected by a double acting air cylinder 73 which is secured to theframe of the wire insertion machine and has its piston rod 74 secured to the feed table frame 60 as indicated at 75. Admittance of air to the left hand end of the air cylinder 73 will bring the feed table 42 toward the central portion of the plugging machine. The operating stroke of the air cylinder 73 is initiated by a manually operated switch 76 which is in series with the previously mentioned switch 72 and a third switch 91, more fully described hereinafter, which is closed when the plugs and plug holder are in their proper position. As the tray 10 is brought forward by means of the air cylinder 73, index holes 77,-

77 in the confronting face of the displaceable guide 15 carried by the jig 10 are brought into registering engage-.

ment with a pair of pins 78, 78 (see Figs. 4, 8 and 15) to properly position the forward end of the wire jig laterally of the machine. As previously mentioned, the lug 17 which is engaged by the locking plate 54 during the operating stroke of the feed table 42 is secured to the displaceable guide 15 and thus the locking plate 54 and the air cylinder 53 serve to provide the necessary force to force the guide 15 onto the pins 78, 78. After the guide 15 engages the pins 78, the air cylinder 73 continues its operating stroke for a predetermined distance in order to insert the wires into the plugs. During this time, the locking plate 54 and displaceable guide 15 remain stationary while the feed table ,42 is moved forward to a position as indicated in Fig. 10. Thus, the wires carried by the jig 10 are projected forward with respect to the displaceable guide'and extend outward from the forward face thereof as shown in Figs. 34 and 35 In accordance with the present invention, the plug holders 44 which carry the plugs 43 are positioned on a feed table 81 as illustratedin Figs. 4a, 5 and 27. The plug holders, as shown in Fig. 30, have a plurality of clover-shaped openings 82 therein in which the plugs are inserted. The clover-shaped openings allow the plug to expand when the needles and tubes are inserted there through as more fully described hereinafter. Extending longitudinally of the feed table 81 is a guide rail 83 which carries a push-block 84. The push-block 84 is adapted to bear against the end of a plug holder 44 which in turn is positioned between the guide rail 83 and a face plate 85 on the feed table, as shown in Fig. 27, and insert the same through an opening 86 into the wire insertion machine.

Extending transversely of the wire insertion machine in axial alignment with the opening 86, is a transfer or lifting plate 88 on which the plug-holders 44 are placed after insertion into the machine as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. Upon full insertion of a holder 44 into the wire insertion machine and onto the transfer plate 88, a microswitch 91 is closed by means of a plunger 92 which extends into the path of the plug holder. As a plug holder is inserted into the machine, it depresses the plunger 92, thereby closing the switch 91. The switch 91 is in series with the previous mentioned micro-switch 72 and the manually operated switch 76, and when these three switches are closed, the feed table 42 will be brought forward. I

As previously mentioned, and more fully described hereinafter, at the end of an insertion operation, a plug holder 44 carrying plugs 43 is positioned in axial alignment with the wires supported on the feed table 42 and the plug is prepared for the reception of wires. Thus,

after a holder carrying a plurality of plugs 43 is inserted into the machine and a jig 10 supporting the wires 11 is placed on the feed table 42, closing the manually operated switch 76 will actuate the feed table 42 and insert the wires into the plugs. A pause is provided in the operation of the plugging machine at this point in order to allow the operator of the machine to make an inspection and determine whether or not the Wires are properly inserted in the plugs. If the wires are not properly inserted in the plugs, the operator of the machine may close the manually operated switch 94 positioned on the forward end of -the machine next to the switch 76; as

illustratedin Fig. 4. Closing the switch 94 willadrnit air tothelefthandend of the air cylinder 73, thereby retracting thefeed table 42 to permit the operator of the machine to properly position the wires. The operator of the machine may then close the manually operated switch 76 inserting the wires into the plugs as previously described;

In order to complete operation of the machine, the operator closes the manually operated switch 95 which is also positioned 'at the forward end of the machine as shown in Fig. 4. This allows a cam shaft 96 carrying a plurality of cams to make one complete revolution, thereby completing operation of thewire insertionmachine as set forth in detail herebelow. The manually operated switch 95 which'actuate's' the cam shaft 96 is in series with a normally open switch 97, more fully described hereinafter, and when the switches 95 and 97 are both closed the cam shaft 96may'be rotated. With reference to Figs. 8 and IOQ the switch 97 is secured to the frame of the wire insertion machine beneath the feed table 42 and is adapted to be engaged and maintained in a closed position by a finger 98 which depends downwardly from the feed table frame 60. As the feed table advances, the finger 98 engages the switch 97 and closes the same. By this construction, rotation of the cam shaft 96 is effectively prevented until the feed table 42 is in its extreme forward limit position.

With reference to Figs. 2a and 3 of the drawings, reference numeral 100 designates generally an electric motor which drives the cam shaft 96. Fixedly secured to the drive shaft of the motor 100 is a pulley 101 which drives a second pulley 102 by means of a plurality of V-belts or the like 103. The pulley 102 is rotatably mounted on the high speed shaft 104 of a gear reducer 105 and is adapted to be interlocked therewith by means of a clutch operating member 106 as more fully described hereinafter. The cam shaft 96 is secured to the low speed shaft 107 of the' gear-reducer-IOS by means of acoupling 108.

The high speed shaft 104is provided with a brake comprising a brake drum 111 rotatably mounted thereon and adapted normally to be held stationary by means ofa brake band 112 which encircles the brake drum 111 and has both its ends adjustably secured to a cross frame member 113 onthe frame of the wire insertion machine as indicated in Fig. 26.

Slidably mounted on the high speed shaft 104 ceritrally of the pulley 102 and the brake drum 111 is the clutch operating member 106. The member 106 is splined to the shaft 104and is rotatable therewith. A double'acting air cylinder 114controlled by the manually operated switch 95 is provided to actuate theclutch operating member 106 longitudinally along the high speed shaft 104 to engage either the pulley 102 or the brake drum 111 with the shaft 104 in order to rotate or stop rotation of the cam shaft 96 as more fully described hereinafter. The air cylinder 114 is interconnected with the clutch operating member'106 by means of shift rod 115 which has one end pivotally secured to the end of the piston rod 116 of the air cylinder 114 and its other end pivotally mounted to the framework'of the wire insertion machine as indicated at 117 in Figs.2a and 3. The shift rod 115 engages the clutch operating member 106 so thatactuation of the air cylinder 114 operates to move the clutch operating member longitudinally of the shaft 104;

Secured to the side of the pulley 102 nearest the clutch operating member 106 is a frictiondisk type clutch 122 which has one set of disks keyed to the shaft 104 andthe other set of disks mounted in a housing 123 secured to the pulley 102. Application of pressure to thedisks of the clutch 122 bythe'clutch operating member 106 drivably connects the-pulley 102 with the shaft 104. Alternatively, whenthe clutch operating member 106 is removed from pressure applying relationship with the'disks of the-clutch'122; the pulley-102 is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft 104.

A friction disk type clutch 125 similar-to the'clutch 122 is secured to theside'of the brake drum 111 nearestalso of the cam shaft 96. In a like manner, when the clutch operating member 106'is removed from pressure applying relationshipwith'the disks of the clutch 125,

the shaft 104 is rotatable'with respect to the brake drum ll l.

clutch operating member 106 to'its otherextreme position as indicated in Fig. 3 disengages the pulley 102 and the shaft 104 and, at the same time, interlocks the brake drum 111-and the shaft 104, thereby'etfectively stopping rotation of thecam shaft 96;- The manually operated switch 95 is operable 'to admit air tothe left hand 'end of the air cylinder 114 (with respect'to Fig. 3), thereby moving the clutch operating member 106* to the right to cause rotation of the cam shaft 96. A micro-switch 239 more fullydes'cribed hereinafter, operates to admit air to the right handend (with respect to Fig. '3) of the air cylinder 114, t'hereby'stoppingrotationof the cam shaft 96 as described above.

As previously-mentioned, at the end of a completed cycle of operation; the plugs 43w'are prepared for the reception of wires. To this end, apair of expander'tubes are inserted through each of the -plugs as illustrated in Figs. 34 and '42; and theca'm shaft 96 is stopped so that the cams are in the positionsas illustrated in Figs. 20 to 24, inclusive, of the drawings. Upon starting rotation of the camshaft 96 the tubes 130*are retracted from the plugs 43, thereby-transferring the plugs from the tubes to the wires 11 as shown in' Fig. 35. A backer-up plate 131 through which the tubes130 pass bears against the rear ofthe plugs and prevents relative rearward movement of the plugs 43 during retraction of the tubes 130.

Operation of the tubes'130"iseffected by a cam 132 formed, .for example, as illustrated in Fig. 20. The cam 132 has a cam track 133 the-rein which engages a-cam follower 134*on an arm 135. As shown in Figs. 1 and 8a, the arm'1'35 is secured to a-shaft 136'extending transversely of the plugging machine. Depending upwardly from the shaft 136'aretwo' pairs of cars or lugs 137 which engage a pair ofeyes 138 adjustably secured'to a tube crosshead 139 by means of turnbuckles 140, 140, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Extending longitudinally of the wire insertion machine and depending inwardly from the sidewalls thereof are' a pair of supports 143 which carry slides 144 thereon on which the tube"crosshead139 is slidably mounted, as

shown in Figs. 7 and i As the cam 132 starts rotating,

the lower end of the arm" 'is' moved to the left with respect to Fig. l, therebypivoting'the arm 135 "in a clockwise direction about theshaft136 and piilling the tube crosshead 139 to the right: Positioned at the forward adapted to receive a supporting block 147tw hich carries a pair of tubes 130. As illustrated in 18, the sup- By this construction; whenthe clutch operating member 106 is in itsextreme right hand position, the pulley 102 has a driving connection with the highspeed shaft 104 of-thegear'redu'cer 105 andthe motor 100 operates to drive thecam shaft 96; Actuation of the 

